Airbnb News and Short-Term Rentals

Airbnb continues to be a major force in the travel industry, redefining how people book and experience accommodations worldwide. At PhocusWire, we bring you the latest Airbnb news, along with broader coverage of the short-term rental sector, including platform innovation, market trends, and regulatory developments that shape this fast-moving space.

Updates on Airbnb, short-term rental trends, and regulatory shifts

Track how Airbnb is evolving its product offerings, enhancing guest and host tools, and adapting to consumer demand for more flexible, immersive travel. Our stories examine the intersection of tech innovation, policy, and platform strategy—providing insight into how short-term rentals continue to influence the broader hospitality landscape.

Wimdu and 9flats combine into one short-term rental company
News / Online
Wimdu and 9flats combine into one short-term rental company
By Sean O'Neil | October 9, 2016
The two largest European-founded companies that have aspired to be Airbnb alternatives — Wimdu and 9flats — are combining. The unified business says it will host nearly 500,000 short-term rental pr Read More
Short-term stays could be the long-term strategy for hotels to counter Airbnb
News / Distribution
Short-term stays could be the long-term strategy for hotels to counter Airbnb
By Kevin May | October 6, 2016
A single datapoint contained in a Phocuswright study has illustrated where the hotel industry can fight back against the apparent rise of Airbnb et al. Obviously, the likes of Airbnb, HomeAway and Read More
MakeMyTrip expands Indian business into Airbnb territory
News / Distribution
MakeMyTrip expands Indian business into Airbnb territory
By Martin Cowen | October 6, 2016
India's MakeMyTrip has launched Rightstay, a standalone brand dedicated to alternative accommodation across the country. The inventory includes villas, apartments, home-stays and guesthouses. The w Read More
Gloveler becomes latest home rental site to face financial difficulties
News / Distribution
Gloveler becomes latest home rental site to face financial difficulties
By Martin Cowen | October 5, 2016
German private accommodation rental site Gloveler is under preliminary insolvency, meaning that it continues to operate as normal while administrators look at options. The site, which went live in Read More
Airbnb enables guests to earn Qantas frequent flyer points
News / Online
Airbnb enables guests to earn Qantas frequent flyer points
By Sean O'Neil | October 3, 2016
Airbnb has forged a marketing deal with Australia's Qantas enabling travelers to earn a point in its frequent flier program for every Australian dollar spent on total guest fees for short-term rentals Read More
Business travellers avoid sharing economy, despite acceptance in corporate policy
News / Distribution
Business travellers avoid sharing economy, despite acceptance in corporate policy
By Kevin May | September 28, 2016
Two-thirds of Brits travelling on business are still reluctant to use a sharing economy-type accommodation or ground transportation provider. The survey of more than 6,000 business travellers by Eg Read More
That noise you can hear is self-management dying on Airbnb and vacation rentals
News / Online
That noise you can hear is self-management dying on Airbnb and vacation rentals
By Viewpoints | September 26, 2016
No matter how you cut it, this was a rough week for those who believe owner-managed vacation rentals are the future of the short-term accommodation space. "How can I say that", you ask? Let’s read Read More
Airbnb scoops up another $555 million in investment
News / Online
Airbnb scoops up another $555 million in investment
By Kevin May | September 23, 2016
Airbnb has landed a further $555 million in funding from Google Capital and Technology Crossover Ventures. The round was confirmed in a filing to the Securities and Exchange Commission this week. Read More
Airbnb acquires Trip4Real in locals-doing-activities push
News / Online
Airbnb acquires Trip4Real in locals-doing-activities push
By Kevin May | September 19, 2016
Airbnb's mantra that everyone should somehow "travel like a local" has seen it snap up Spanish activities provider Trip4Real. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. Co-founder and CEO, Glori Read More
For big travel firms, the mobile struggle is real
News / Technology
For big travel firms, the mobile struggle is real
September 13, 2016
The world is now, indisputably, mobile-first. In 2015, the number of smartphone users worldwide surpassed 2.5 billion. NB This is a viewpoint by Travis Katz, co-founder and CEO of Gogobot. In th Read More
An open letter to Brian Chesky: Airbnb anti-discrimination policy falls short
News / Online
An open letter to Brian Chesky: Airbnb anti-discrimination policy falls short
By Viewpoints | September 12, 2016
Airbnb recently unveiled a report to "fight discrimination and build inclusion", penned by Washington DC public affairs strategist Laura Murphy. I decided to write an open-letter to CEO of Airbnb, Read More
Why travellers choose Airbnb and how do they use it?
News / Online
Why travellers choose Airbnb and how do they use it?
By Kevin May | September 1, 2016
There have been plenty of industry surveys produced looking at the Airbnb phenomenon - but the academic analyses have been slower to emerge. One such study was published by Ryerson University in To Read More
Blockchain and a different view on the sharing economy
News / Technology
Blockchain and a different view on the sharing economy
By Linda Fox | August 26, 2016
Here's a video from TED on blockchain which is worth watching for its explanation of the concept as well as solid examples of where it could be put to good use. It's by business strategist Don Taps Read More
Tujia reports best-ever day, tips house-share for bumper 12 months
News / Distribution
Tujia reports best-ever day, tips house-share for bumper 12 months
By Martin Cowen | August 15, 2016
China's alternative accommodation provider Tujia.com has had its busiest ever day, netting 56,000 room night orders on August 5. It says that this is the "highest [number of] single-day transaction Read More
Corporate travel tech takeaways from GBTA, according to TripBAM
News / Technology
Corporate travel tech takeaways from GBTA, according to TripBAM
By Viewpoints | August 9, 2016
Last month's GBTA Convention in Denver was an informative mix of the familiar and the fresh, with established players rubbing shoulders with startups and disruptors. NB This is a viewpoint by Steve Read More
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